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Cutting Quote by William S. Burroughs

“I have no message to give the politicians of the world. They're all completely addicted to promiscuous verbalization and I'm quite sure they would not be at all interested in hearing about cut-ups and hieroglyphics and still less interested to hear about silence.” quote by William S. Burroughs
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“I have no message to give the politicians of the world. They're all completely addicted to promiscuous verbalization and I'm quite sure they would not be at all interested in hearing about cut-ups and hieroglyphics and still less interested to hear about silence.”

William S. Burroughs

About This Quote

Source Novel: Naked Lunch (1959)

The author dismisses politicians as obsessed with empty, chaotic language, uninterested in deeper or silent truths.

In simple terms: Politicians love noisy talk, ignore silence.

Key Takeaway

Seek substance over rhetoric.

Themes

politics language silence

Mood

skeptical critical

Type

satirical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • media literacy
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

satire critical theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What value does silence hold?
  • How can we cut through political noise?
A Different Perspective

Silence may be misinterpreted as apathy.

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